The Grandmother

The Grandmother (Czech: Babička)

The Grandmother is a novella written by Czech writer Božena Němcová between 1853 and 1854. It was first published in 1855 and became very popular. It is her most famous work and is considered a classic of Czech literature.

This story is a beloved book in the Czech nation. It has been published many times in Czech and translated into many languages. People still read and enjoy it today because of its touching tale and beautiful writing.

Plot

This book is about a young girl's childhood. It was written by Božena Němcová. The book mixes memories of old farming life and neighborhood traditions with love stories of several women. These stories show more about the history and life in that area.

The main events happen during the first year or two after the Grandmother moves in to help her daughter's family at the Old Bleachery. The father is often away for his job, working for a local noblewoman and traveling to Vienna in the winter. The story follows the tales of three characters: Viktorka, Kristla, and the Countess. The author uses the character Barunka, the oldest daughter in the Prošek family, to share these stories, but the book is not told from her perspective.